1928 Kissel Tire Fitment Guide

1928 Kissel vehicles use four tire sizes across three models. The Kissel 70 and Kissel Lt-8 use 30X6.00 and 6.00-18, while the Kissel 80 uses 30X6.20 and 650-18. The 6.00-18 and 650-18 sizes mount on 18-inch rims, and the listed 650-18 products specify a rim width range of 3.25 to 3.50 inches.

Model identification matters because these sizes are not interchangeable across the entire 1928 Kissel line. If your car is a 70 or Lt-8, start by confirming whether it carries the antique overall-diameter size or the 18-inch wheel fitment. If your car is an 80, the same logic applies with its own size pair. Checking the actual wheel and any surviving original tire markings gives you the clearest starting point before selecting a replacement.

On a 1928 Kissel tire, 30X6.00 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The first number refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter in inches, and the second number refers to nominal section width. It is a bias-ply format used on the 1928 Kissel 70 and 1928 Kissel Lt-8.

That matters because this style of sizing predates the later numeric system many collectors know better. A car set up for 30X6.00 should not be assumed to use the same wheel arrangement as a car wearing 6.00-18, even though both appear on the same model family. Owners restoring a 70 or Lt-8 should compare the actual wheels on the car and any surviving period references before settling on one size family.

On a 1928 Kissel tire, 650-18 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 650 identifies the nominal section width in period numeric form, and the 18 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. For the 1928 Kissel lineup, this size applies to the Kissel 80, and the listed Firestone products fit 18-inch rims with a 3.25 to 3.50-inch width range.

That makes 650-18 the wheel-based fitment to verify if your Kissel 80 already has 18-inch rims. It is also the one size here with currently listed product choices, including both blackwall and wide whitewall versions. Before selecting a tire, confirm that your car is an 80 rather than a 70 or Lt-8, since those models use a different size pair.

Sidewall style choices are currently listed in 650-18 for 1928 Kissel applications, where Firestone offers both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall versions for the Kissel 80. Both are bias-ply tires in the Firestone Balloon line. The other 1928 Kissel sizes shown here do not currently have listed product variations to compare by sidewall appearance.

For a late-1920s luxury make like Kissel, sidewall appearance can strongly affect the finished look of the car. A blackwall keeps the presentation more restrained, while a wide whitewall gives the car a more formal, upscale period impression. Owners concerned with event judging or market-specific authenticity should compare their choice against period photos and marque-club guidance, since sidewall fashion could vary by body style, owner taste, and delivery market.

Firestone is the listed brand currently available within the 1928 Kissel tire offerings shown here, specifically in size 650-18 for the Kissel 80. Those products are part of the Firestone Balloon line and are offered in more than one sidewall style. No additional brands appear among the currently listed products for the other 1928 Kissel sizes.

That means brand comparison is limited within this year-make range as currently presented, so the more practical decision is usually model, size, and appearance rather than brand-shopping across multiple makers. If you own a Kissel 80 on 18-inch wheels, Firestone gives you a clearly period-appropriate bias-ply option. If you own a 70 or Lt-8, confirm the tire size on the car first so you do not assume the 80's available products apply to your model.

For the 1928 Kissel in size 650-18, both listed Firestone Balloon tires share the same basic size, bias-ply construction, 18-inch rim diameter, and 3.25 to 3.50-inch rim width range. The visible difference is sidewall treatment: one is Blackwall and the other is a 3.50-inch Wide Whitewall. The listed blackwall also carries a published maximum load figure of 1205 pounds at 36 psi, while the whitewall entry emphasizes appearance and size details.

The choice comes down mainly to presentation rather than a change in size category or fitment family. A wide whitewall tends to suit a more formal or show-oriented late-1920s look, while a blackwall can feel more understated and utilitarian. Since both belong to the same size and construction type, owners should focus on the visual character they want for the car and then verify wheel fit before making a final selection.

A published rim width range appears for 1928 Kissel size 650-18, where the listed Firestone products fit rims measuring 3.25 to 3.50 inches wide and 18 inches in diameter. That specification applies to the Kissel 80 fitment using 650-18. The other 1928 Kissel sizes shown here do not carry a published rim-width range in the currently listed offerings.

Rim width matters because even period-correct bias-ply tires should be mounted on wheels that match the tire maker's recommended range. If your Kissel 80 uses 650-18, measure the wheel before mounting a replacement. If you own a 70 or Lt-8, or an 80 wearing the antique-format size, compare the actual wheel to period references or consult a marque specialist so the tire and rim work together correctly.

Original 1928 Kissel wheels cannot be assumed to work with all four sizes across the make, because the year uses both antique overall-diameter sizes and wheel-based 18-inch sizes. The 6.00-18 and 650-18 fitments are tied to 18-inch rims, while 30X6.00 and 30X6.20 belong to a different sizing convention. The fitment split follows the model family as well, with the 70 and Lt-8 sharing one pair and the 80 using another.

That means the safest approach is to treat the wheel already on the car as the starting point rather than the year and make alone. A surviving original wheel may guide you toward the correct size family immediately, especially on a car that has not been modified. If the car has changed hands many times or has mixed components, compare the wheel diameter and old tire markings before selecting a replacement tire.

A stored 1928 Kissel should be kept out of direct sunlight, away from electric motors and other ozone sources, and in a dry, stable environment where the tires are not sitting in standing moisture. Bias-ply tires can develop flat spotting and sidewall aging more readily during long static periods, especially on a heavy pre-war vehicle. Clean floors, moderate temperatures, and proper inflation all help reduce stress on the casing.

If the car will sit for long stretches, move it slightly from time to time or support it in a way that reduces constant load on one contact patch. Owners of show cars often focus on paint and upholstery, but tire preservation is just as important on an older luxury make like Kissel. A few simple storage habits can preserve appearance, ride quality, and service life far better than leaving the car stationary for months at a time.

Tires on a 1928 Kissel should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage, because collector cars often accumulate very few miles while their tires continue to age. A good rule is to inspect them carefully once they reach the five- to seven-year range and to treat around ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration. The DOT date code on the tire helps establish age, even when the tread still looks good.

That approach matters on a pre-war car because long periods of storage can make an older tire look better than it actually is internally. Sidewall cracking, hardening, and casing fatigue can appear before the tread is worn out. If your 1928 Kissel is driven only to shows or short events, it is easy to overlook tire age, so building date-code checks into routine maintenance is a smart habit.

Tires on a 1928 Kissel should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Check for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, irregular wear, and pressure loss, and make sure the spare is still serviceable if the car carries one. On an older bias-ply application, valve stems and bead areas also deserve close attention because age can affect them as much as tread condition does.

Frequent inspection is especially important on a lightly used collector car because problems often develop while the car is parked rather than while it is being driven. A few minutes in the garage can reveal weathering, low pressure, or damage that might not be obvious once the car is on the road. That quick check is one of the simplest ways to reduce risk before taking a nearly century-old automobile out for a drive.

A 1928 Kissel 70 would have originally used bias-ply tires, because bias construction was standard for American passenger cars in the late 1920s. Within the size range associated with the 70, both 30X6.00 and 6.00-18 appear as period-correct fitment paths depending on the wheel setup on the individual car. No original-equipment brand should be assumed without model-specific historical confirmation.

That makes surviving wheels, old photos, factory literature, and marque-club research especially valuable when restoring a Kissel 70 for accuracy. Two bias-ply size conventions can be correct within the broader model family, but the right choice for your specific car depends on how it was equipped. If the car will be judged, match the tire size format and sidewall presentation to the car's actual restoration target rather than relying on year and make alone.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1928 Kissel because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size convention, construction type, and sidewall look match the era. A late-1920s Kissel should present with bias-ply tires in an appropriate period size family for the model and wheel setup. Using a size tied to the wrong model, or a sidewall treatment that clashes with the restoration goal, can distract from an otherwise careful presentation.

For a show-oriented car, tire choice affects stance, visual balance, and historical credibility almost as much as paint or trim details. Owners restoring a 70, 80, or Lt-8 should confirm not only the model but also which size family belongs on the actual wheels being used. Event rules vary, so marque clubs and judging guides remain the best source for deciding how strict you need to be about sidewall style and exact fitment.

On a 1928 Kissel, antique-format sizes such as 30X6.00 and 30X6.20 identify the tire by overall diameter and section width, while 6.00-18 and 650-18 identify a nominal section width and an 18-inch wheel diameter. All of them are bias-ply, but they reflect two different period sizing systems. The 70 and Lt-8 use one pair of these sizes, while the 80 uses its own pair.

For restoration work, that difference matters because the tire markings themselves contribute to the car's period-correct look. A car restored around the wrong size convention may still appear subtly off to experienced observers, even if the tire seems close in overall proportions. Matching the tire code style to the actual wheel and model is often the detail that separates a generally correct restoration from a truly convincing one.

1928 Kissel tires can be suitable for road use when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and used within the limits of their construction and any stated speed rating. The listed 650-18 Firestone products are bias-ply tires, and no speed letter is shown for them here. On a late-1920s automobile, the car's own braking, steering, suspension, and overall mechanical condition usually deserve as much attention as the tire itself before sustained highway use.

That means highway suitability is about the complete vehicle rather than a tire size alone. A well-prepared Kissel driven conservatively can be enjoyable on modern roads, but a nearly century-old car should not be treated like a modern sedan just because the tires are new. Before longer or faster driving, evaluate the whole chassis and keep speeds in line with the car's design, road conditions, and the age of every supporting component.

Inflation pressure on 1928 Kissel tires should follow the specific tire maker's rating and the vehicle guidance appropriate to the model and size. In the listed 650-18 offerings, one Firestone Balloon tire carries a published maximum load of 1205 pounds at 36 psi. That figure belongs to that product and size only, and it should not be transferred to 30X6.00, 6.00-18, or 30X6.20 without size-specific confirmation.

The best practice is to use the vehicle's original literature as a baseline and then compare it with the tire manufacturer's recommendations for the exact reproduction tire you are running. Collector vehicles can be sensitive to pressure changes in ride, steering effort, and tread wear, especially with bias-ply construction. Start with the guidance tied to your exact size and product, then fine-tune only within the manufacturer's stated limits.

Before a longer drive in a 1928 Kissel, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and make sure the spare is usable as well. Confirm that the tires match the car's actual model and wheel setup, since the 70, 80, and Lt-8 do not all use the same sizes. A pre-drive check on an older car should also include the broader mechanical basics expected of a pre-war automobile.

Tires are only one part of the readiness picture, but they are among the easiest parts to inspect before leaving home. If the car has been sitting, pay extra attention to age-related issues such as hardened rubber or a tire that no longer holds pressure consistently. Taking a few minutes to check the tires, wheels, and the rest of the car can prevent a minor issue from becoming a trip-ending problem on a longer outing.